Family seeks help for girl born with no brain

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She’s just 6 years old, but she’s been through a whole lifetime of struggles.

Kaliysha was born with hydranencephaly, a rare condition in which the brain’s cerebral hemispheres are absent and replaced by sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid Her mother, April Barrett, says it’s a miracle she’s lived this long.

“My doctor told me a week before I delivered that she would be born without a brain and he told me to go take a picture of my belly that that would be the last time she would be alive,” Barrett says.

Barrett was heartbroken to be told that her child was going to die.

“I was devastated every time she kicked. It made me cry because I was like, this is the last time you’ll be alive?”

Somehow, with only a brain stem, Kaliysha survived six years.

“She’s a survivor and she survived for me for a real long time,” Barrett says.

Now, Kalysha is on hospice care after an illness damaged what little use she had in her brain stem. Barrett says its been a downhill ride ever since, and soon she knows she’ll have to say goodbye.

But Barrett takes solace in knowing she won’t be alone. She says she wants her little girl buried next to her grandmother.

“At least she won’t be by herself cause I don’t know anybody else who’s gone and who loved her that much.”

Kaliysha’s mother says it’s the kind of love that lives forever.

“I think that Kaliysha was here and stayed here for six years because of love.. you seen how beautiful she is… she’s loved.”

Barrett says she can’t afford to pay for Kaliysha’s funeral and burial. The family does have a fund set up call ‘Pace of Miracles.’ Those who want to help can donate at any Chase Bank location.